Democratic Senators Tell Musk to Preserve SpaceX Records on Ukraine Starshield Limits

Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Chris Coons asked for records dating from September 1, including all communications about Starlink and Starshield in Ukraine and exchanges between Musk, SpaceX executives, the White House and the Pentagon, according to the Journal.

The request reaches beyond Ukraine. Starshield is the military-grade version of Starlink, and US agencies also depend on SpaceX's satellite networks. "The October and November restrictions now raise the disturbing possibility that these vulnerabilities persist even within systems on which the US government relies," the senators wrote, according to the report. They said the restrictions raised "serious questions" about SpaceX's control over communications systems that matter to national security, and criticised what they called "opaque decision-making."

Ukrainian forces say Starshield is essential for front-line communications and drone operations against Russian drone and missile attacks. In mid-October, Ukrainian officials complained that the service had been restricted without explanation or warning. They said this limited the military's ability to carry out complex strike missions and slowed the interceptor drones used to shoot down Russian attack drones.

Accounts of who ordered the limits have conflicted. Reuters reported in October that the instruction to restrict Starshield service for Ukrainian forces came from inside the White House. Secretary of State Marco Rubio later disputed that, saying decisions on Ukraine's access were a matter for SpaceX and Musk.

Later in October, Ukraine said Starlink and Starshield were working normally. But President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday that Ukrainian military units had again recorded disruptions to Starshield communications.

A preservation demand is usually an early step before a formal inquiry, and it gives the senators a basis to seek the documents later. SpaceX's response to the letter was not reported.